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Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work (A StoryCorps Book) Hardcover – April 19, 2016

by Dave Isay (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 527 ratings
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Stories of passion, courage, and commitment, following individuals as they pursue the work they were born to do, from StoryCorps founder Dave Isay

In Callings, StoryCorps founder Dave Isay presents unforgettable stories from people doing what they love. Some found their paths at a very young age, others later in life; some overcame great odds or upturned their lives in order to pursue what matters to them. Many of their stories have never been broadcast or published by StoryCorps until now.

We meet a man from the barrios of Texas whose harrowing experiences in a family of migrant farmers inspired him to become a public defender. We meet a longtime waitress who takes pride in making regulars and newcomers alike feel at home in her Nashville diner. We meet a young man on the South Side of Chicago who became a teacher in order to help at-risk teenagers like the ones who killed his father get on the right track. We meet a woman from Little Rock who helps former inmates gain the skills and confidence they need to rejoin the workforce. Together they demonstrate how work can be about much more than just making a living, that chasing dreams and finding inspiration in unexpected places can transform a vocation into a calling. Their shared sense of passion, honor, and commitment brings deeper meaning and satisfaction to every aspect of their lives. 

An essential contribution to the beloved StoryCorps collection, Callings is an inspiring tribute to rewarding work and the American pursuit of happiness.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Press
  4. Publication date
    April 19, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1594205183
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1594205187
  8. Lexile measure
    HL790L
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“StoryCorps founder Isay culls and collects wise words and powerful stories about searching for meaning in work from the more than 65,000 stories recorded in StoryCorps booths across America over the past 12 years. Every one of the stories in this inspiring collection reveals the deep love that motivates the storytellers as they discover and embrace their vocations . . . These wonderful stories reveal that work becomes meaningful to those who choose—or are in some cases chosen by—the calling that motivates, energizes, and inspires them. (Apr.)”—Publisher’s Weekly

"Callings will inspires readers at every stage of their careers to view work with a new appreciation for the possibilities it holds beyond the mundane."-- Booklist 

"Thoughtfully organized and edited, each story is a reminder of the essential role work plays in the pursuit of human happiness. Inspiring, insightful, and thoroughly readable."--Kirkus 
 

About the Author

Dave Isay is the founder of StoryCorps and the recipient of numerous broadcasting honors, including six Peabody awards, a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship, and the 2015 TED Prize. He is the author/editor of numerous books that grew out of his public radio documentary work, including four StoryCorps books: Listening Is an Act of Love (2007), Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps (2010), All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps (2012), and Ties That Bind: Stories of Love and Gratitude from the First Ten Years of StoryCorps (2013).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Press; 1st edition (April 19, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1594205183
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1594205187
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL790L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 527 ratings

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Dave Isay

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
527 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Purchased for psychology assignment
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
Cheap, new, easy read. Was not a huge inspiration but the book was decent. Author was passionate about it and it was well thought out and written. Just not an interesting topic for me, but still not the books fault.
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cswee
5.0 out of 5 stars found a way to pursue the kind of life and work that they could love. The stories are captivating and very inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
I adore this book. It is filled with stories of people who, no matter their present circumstances, found a way to pursue the kind of life and work that they could love. The stories are captivating and very inspiring. It's not the kind of book that you sit down and devour in one sitting, altho that WOULD give you a giant dose of inspiration! I have found the book better consumed slowly, over time, like even one story/chapter each morning before my day gets started.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about people pursuing their dreams, and how they went about it.
3 people found this helpful
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Camila
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, purpose as a career - not self help
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2022
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The book is made of interviews in which people talk about their careers, understanding that that is their purpose. If you’re looking for a sign to find your own purpose, what career you should pursue, this book will not give you an answer. This book will show you what worked for others, and then you can come up with your own version of it - what works for you. It’s easy to read, it’s fast, but is not a book that will get you hooked.
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jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars book
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
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it’s the book you looked up lol probably
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Carol Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great compilation!
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2016
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I thoroughly enjoyed these little stories. My father is nearly 97 and having trouble reading now. I told him about the book and we can't wait for my next visit so I can read some to him. I interviewed my own family members in much this same way over recent years, so while these are not exactly my own stories, I related to each one and remembered my family as I read them. Great job. Very interesting.
One person found this helpful
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mlsoriano07
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for a writing classroom!
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
This collection of stories was referenced in an article a friend posted on Facebook about vocation and identifying your calling, so I ordered it out of curiosity. Before I even began reading the short accounts, I started to imagine the perfect theme for the first-year writing course I teach at a university. The book definitely met my hopes and expectations, and as I was reading the sections, I was able to think about questions I would be able to ask my students to consider both before and after reading. The stories made me think about my history and connection to my work as well. I especially like how some questions for interviews are included at the end, as well as the website for StoryCorps--great tools for the classroom, or even for individuals who are inspired to explore their own connections to their work.
8 people found this helpful
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Wendy
3.0 out of 5 stars Depends on your taste in books
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2018
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This book is kind of exhausting to read. If you loved Chicken Soup for the Soul, with lots of stories without a real theme, you'll love this book. This is just a collection of stories of people. The stories are well-edited, and inspirational, but I was looking for something a little more meaty. It's not the author's fault - I bought the wrong book for what I wanted.
3 people found this helpful
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Ashley Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing inspirational book
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2021
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Needed this for a class. This books was very inspirational when trying to figure out your life. I highly recommend this book. I hate reading this book just made me keep reading!
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Top reviews from other countries

Falé Do
5.0 out of 5 stars Open up the mind, career-wise
Reviewed in Canada on July 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
I love this book!! It's very interesting, we get to discover multiple experiences and people's perspectives. It's educational. There are funny, emotional and philosophical moments, which touch me a lot :)
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Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Germany on August 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
A must read.
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JensB
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2016
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Absolutely brilliant. Inspiring, easy to read and well worth getting.
One person found this helpful
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D
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2018
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lovely book, inspiring.
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